Porsche Gives Green Light To Electric Mission E Sedan Production

In a bid to comply with stricter emissions standards, Porsche has reportedly given the green light for a production version of the E-Sedan concept which will allow the brand to enter a whole new frontier of the automotive market.

Billed as "beginning a new chapter in the history of the sports car", Porsche views the Mission E as a key model in its broader plans for growth and long-term profitability, especially as the company tries to move on from the dieselgate saga that has gripped the entire VW empire. First introduced at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the Mission E concept wielded a 600-horsepower electric drive system that was augmented by an 800-volt battery layout. Many powertrain components, as well as some of its other technology, took advantage of the innovations that first made their appearance on the company's 919 Le Mans race car. Buyers can expect a 0 to 62 mph time of 3.5 seconds, which would put it slightly behind the Tesla Model S in P85D specification. That particular model can hit 60 mph in 2.8 seconds when "Ludicrous Mode" is engaged, but at the cost of reduced driving range.

Porsche claims that its offering will offer a slightly better electric driving range than many rivals (Tesla included) with the car achieving an impressive 310 miles of driving range on a single charge. An 800-volt charging system is currently being developed for the car; it would allow the battery to receive 80% of its maximum charge in just under 15 minutes with full charge being achieved shortly after. Inductive charging technology would also be a part of the package, and would be achieved via a special coil that would be installed in the floor of a garage.

"With Mission E we are making a clear statement about the future of the brand," stated company chairman Wolfgang Porsche. "Even in a greatly changing motoring world, Porsche will maintain its front row position with this fascinating sports car."

The new EV will also help create new jobs in Stuttgart, Germany, with 1,000 new positions being created to help get Mission E production off the ground. Separate investments totaling well over $1 billion will help create a new state-of-the-art paint shop, an overhaul and expansion of the existing engine factory to allow it to accommodate electric motor production, and a new assembly building that will be home to the bulk of the assembly process for the new EV. According to prior reports, the production version of the Mission E is expected to arrive in showrooms in 2020 so look for more information to slowly trickle out in the near future, with the car possibly making its auto show debut some time in 2017 or 2018.